Another Sunny Day in Maine-- March 2nd, It's Monday...

 There's a bird in there somewhere.  I read a book yesterday and turned off the tv.  We are going to Hell in the proverbial "hand basket" bombing other Countries......just because we can.  Former Presidents are turning in their graves.......they will eventually BOMB US......you Brainless Twit.

So- Blinding Sunshine here in Maine and 20 degrees.  Our solid Republican State is not so solidly Republican anymore.  Interesting ........of course I make a practice of not listening to news...longer than 5 minutes..  

Where did that big gray haired Chief of Staff come from??????  I've been wondering about that.

I have a sliding mess of illustrations cut from magazines etc here to the left...the glue stick is over to the right.  The Washable Paint Set is still not open or used but the March calendar has some additional images glue sticked to it.....I'm in a collage state of mind.  I added Cuba to the US Map. (not) Where to paste it was the problem- what state gets this "extra"?  Florida??  Gosh...that would be something. 

Maine needs population growth....  

I have nothing else for you...I slept well.   The Sun is shining....  My oatmeal was very nice.  My coffee is lukewarm warm and needs a re-heat...

We now have lists of what is in the fridge and freezer on the door of said fridge and freezer.  So I can stare at the lists and not even have to open the fridge doors........ I am thinking about toast with butter and jam... But will have the baked potato instead.   Take care....we don't have much time left....

Daily Notes for SUNDAY March FIRST. Calendar changing day.

 No images....I just have nothing to show you today or yesterday or tomorrow.

So...cloudy here in Maine, lots of snow piling up. 30 degrees today and was in the 40's yesterday.  Weird Weather.

Warner-Paramount sent a 2 inch thick phone book sized manual regarding the take over and stock purchase....I have two shares my Dad gave me decades ago..  I am wondering if just tossing the entire manual in the recycling would work or do I have to remove the pages??????  Because I just don't care.  The stock price has gone up and I am looking forward to a check when they buy my 2 shares. I'll have enough cash to buy a quart of good ice cream... maybe MORE...

I'm tired of Winter...I'm actually just tired of about everything.... I did perk up enough to enjoy the Mars Discovery show.  And yesterday I chanced upon some of that show where people buy storage lockers full of crap.  I watched that for an hour or two.  I always expect a dead rat in the unit.

Well, British Soccer isn't going to watch itself....if there is any... I missed all the Saturday Cooking Shows because Maine Public TV is BEGGING YET AGAIN.... I gave them a car.

The local Music Theater is having a Tent Sale and asking for donations of NICE THINGS....my Lunch Buddy gave them her Wedding China a year or two ago- missing one tea cup....she found it before the auction and they were "thrilled".   

If we did a survey here....how many of you eat at the dining room table with good china and conversation??   Let's be truthful....

I eat sitting at the table, alone, reading the paper or doing Suduko puzzles.  Or I make a sandwich and eat it while watching tv on the couch (thinking about when I made my husband's lunch and he always got  ham and cheese roll ups and chips and pickles and a tall glass of lemonade with a side of two very tiny mandarine oranges).   While he watched Wipe Out on tv.  He worked hard his whole life...deserved a prepared lunch.  And the often baked cookies with sprinkles mixed into the dough.

I often forget I took very good care of him.

Daily Notes=. Saturday February 28th. Chilly here in the house. 41 with sunshine outside.

 No image.  Being stuck- in the house and in my artistic pursuits- equal's no images.

I Finally remembered the name of the junior (second semester) and senior year dorm at Ohio University-- Boyd.  At least I hope that was it....I have no recollection of the name of men's dorm across the small grassy Quad.   The river that flooded was right behind Boyd.  I was in a fourth floor Attic single.  Hardly anyone else was on the fourth floor.. the exceptional shower was always free for me to use-for very long hot showers...the third floor bathrooms had one deep bathtub each. 

Connie....I wish I had known about the ice cream machine.  In the Boyd cafeteria. But perhaps it was installed after my senior year.

Well, Son has gone out for lunch after adding new license plates to his car.  He wanted the chickadee but got the pine tree.  Very disgruntled.   I think the new plates are AWFUL. 

I sorted out all my white short sleeved v-neck cotton tee shirts.... The ones that are "still" white are staying and the ones a shade or two of "not white" are going to be used for washing the cars, or cleaning up messes. The old ones also have shredded necklines....well loved and well worn.

I might try and visit LLBean on line...I used to get a catalog but they don't do that anymore.  I also used to work there.  Well... one Winter into Summer.

With all the Epstein things...who is running the government?????

Daily Notes- Friday February 27th. Sunshine, Snow and 31 degrees here Maine.

Someday soon the image I sent to the computer will show up.  Seriously weird time spent trying to get this heart here.  Colored pencil on index card...not like the heavily stitched ones by DebL that I love. But something that is "here to remind me" of hers..

I watched an interesting program about MARS yesterday on the Discovery Channel???? Science Channel???   There are more episodes. Mars was once covered entirely with water.  I also watched a few other things but can't recall right now what they were....then I read an entire book. 

Twice Shy by Hogle....  I'd read it before but now the book cover says it's brand new.  There was a very very slight difference....they removed references to an out of control AMAZON buying habit....by an  older woman...in the earlier book they had more about Amazon and one of characters set up a website and repackaged the items and sold them...  that was gone.  Amazon kicks fictitious butt.

The Mars thing was great- they showed the expensive machines they sent into orbit to Mars....over the years...showed us the awesome crashes they made into the Mars Surface.  Really slammed into the surface.

Watched Hilary Clinton speak on MSNBC... would have been so great as the First Woman President. Smarter than everyone..maybe even Obama.  Might also have heard her grinding her teeth when asked about Epstein...I loved when she said- " you have to ask my husband".... WOW.

Daily Notes for Thursday, February 26th. I'm Still Alive.

Going to have a MASS of these in this year's garden boxes.   I love them cooked down into a very sticky pasta sauce.  Looking FORWARD to SPRING and the outside planter boxes.  Might have the cherry tomatoes as "filler" in the two big containers out front....I recall them getting tall and bushy in past years.  I also recall  the DEER eating most of them......I had to cover all the plants with chicken wire cages.

The deer just walk out of the Commons Woods and eat stuff... I used to bang a spoon on a pan and scare them away...now they just ignore me.  Very very comfortable with humans now.

Son and Daughter are now on their way out for Lunch.... Frosty's Donut Shop has reopened and I have two most excellent Jelly Filled Donuts to enjoy.  The Florida Winter Mainers are returning.  A bit early as there is QUITE a bit of SNOW on the ground.  More over night.

I really don't know what to do with myself today.....I found some art supplies yesterday but...I think I found them once before.......and NOW again.....which is bothering me....I forgot them in between. I guess  that's how things go as I get closer to 80.  But I was pretty darned excited about the art supplies...possibly said the same here on the post when I found them the first time.

I haven't done much as yet.....Suduko puzzle was difficult...instant coffee was quite good.......oatmeal was nice.....not sure if I want the tv on.   No bills to pay.  Reading Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle.   I read this book once before....I recalled the entire beginning...and now...as happens....I like it better this time...I believe I never actually finished reading it....or if I did- don't recall.  Yesterday was a Crusie with ghosts...I skipped large amounts of pages....not her best effort.... LARGE bag of books being returned tomorrow.  More awaiting pick up.

Well, it's cold in here.  I forgot to turn up the thermostat.....now furnace is rumbling...

I have a lot of "political" news commentary to either watch or ignore today.  I didn't watch the speech itself.  I did notice that the "Guthrie Missing Mom Story" is getting very very little space on the news now.....and when I did find some- none of it was actually "news".  

Well, the "children" going out to lunch has made me curious as to what I should be thinking about for lunch..... I might microwave two of the frozen egg and cheese things I have in the freezer.....for just this sort of occasion....I have NOT made soup as yet but TALK about making it quite often...... if I actually boiled water I could have Mac and Cheese....or Steamed White Rice and Peas.  Or just spoon peanut butter out of the jar.   I'm not picky.

 

Daily Notes- Tuesday February 24th....Sunshine, Fresh Snow, 28 degrees,

 Desk Calendar Image...

One from outdoors would be ALL WHITE.......Son is out shoveling snow. Again.

Trump's Florida Judge Aileen Cannon has come thru for him yet again.  As usual it's Jack Smith Trump is afraid of....overhead shots of Maralago look like it had a 100% make over....  tax payer money??????

So...I finished reading Welcome to Temptation and today's book is Faking It.  Reading backwards a bit with the Dempsey Family who had star status in Welcome to Temptation..  I should have gotten the books in better order---my bad.  I've read them all.  It doesn't really matter.  There are no surprises. Other than my enjoyment of them this time around....

Political Crap keeps happening...gag me.  I live in a Republican State...double gag me.

At some point my daughter will bring me some celery and I will proceed to making a pot of vegetable soup....eating the soup and enjoying it while looking at the 99% WHITE outdoors.  Blinding. This soup recipe has a few quirky things....Turmeric and Red Pepper Flakes.  Also Rice instead of Noodles.  I'm looking forward to it if the promised celery ever arrives.

I wrote checks for two bills.  I need help making copies of the oil delivery bills.  Then I can pay that one also.  My new to me copy machine... I have not mastered it.  It belongs to Son...I finally got used to the new paper shredder- which had belonged to daughter.  It's noisy.  I jammed up my OWN shredder and it went to the Dump Guy Pile.  In the Garage.  

And it's snowing.... Not as much (yet) but still coming down. blowing around.

 Hope the bus didn't hit the plow.   Looks like Maine Street in my little Maine Town- minus the BUS... We don't have busses...Boston has busses and comes north to our train station every so often to drop off college kids.  Coming to school on buses, trains and planes.  Bowdoin College.

I don't hear the rumble of the whole house generator so we must still have power.

I received an email from the company that delivers heating oil.... February 22nd- $709.89  and on March 24th 638.80......Son knows how much oil goes in the tank- 1400 gallons and we now own $1348.69 of  new oil....no mention  on the bill as to what each gallon cost.

I've had breakfast.   I'm enjoying my one a day cup of coffee.  No newspaper so no Suduko puzzle to work on.  I could- emphasis on could---try finishing one of the puzzles I didn't finish in the past month.  They are really difficult or I really don't know how to do them.

Well, I have to go check on the cold draft hitting me right now.....raise the temp in here.

Daily Notes- Not sure if there was overnight snow...

 Well,   I have a load of clothes in the washing machine....need to transfer to the dryer.

My oatmeal was great today...I got it just right.... Still working on my one cup of coffee (a day) and finished the newspaper.  I'm hoping the TiVo is recording British Soccer... YES it was.  Yesterday's Curling (women's) was a let down.... Not sure if there is any today....

Guthrie news is a few lines in the newspaper and zero on the TV news.  It's been three weeks.

I am reading a book I thought I didn't like...turns out I was just not "ready" to read it... Now I am enjoying it. Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie.  And it's best read before Fast Women.  Or after.  Or by itself....there are other books before. Tell Me Lies and Crazy For You.  Will check library for either or both.

Heating Oil was delivered this morning (surprise)...before the Big Storm... yes...we are going to have a real Nor Easter blowing into Maine.  Possibly using the whole house generator if the power goes out.   I had noticed the little red level and said something to Son- he said the amount was fine....I'd been dialing down the house temp and conserving.  Now I can raise the temp in here to 65,

When I say living in Maine YEAR ROUND isn't for the Faint of Heart...I MEAN IT.  That Winter House in Florida (Gag me) ?????  Not happening.....but someplace smaller?????  Easier to keep warm?????

Daily notes for Saturday, February 21st. More snow.

 I plan to dig out one of these pots and USE it... it's pretty deep in the cupboard so I'll get daughter to get it out.  I loved how the pots looked more than I loved making coffee in them.  But that coffee was way better than instant....but instant is fine with me....I'm not that picky about coffee....it's bitter... no matter how it's made or how much it costs.....bitter.  I did like European coffee that had this shadow of chocolate...while being VERY bitter.    Just rewarmed my cup with a bitter dark chocolate bit....wow.  Life changing.

Supreme Court...now that was a take down!!!!!  Trumps's Trio stayed loyal.

I need some Celery for my SOUP.

Son was exhausted and depressed when he finished the snow shoveling...he's ALL IN on hiring a plow guy for next winter.  I'm too "old" to help with the shoveling...  I agree.

One of my new Library books- was a dud.  There were also a number of words etc that needed correction. So the proofreader wasn't very good (AI).  I got 20 pages in and had already found so many mistakes...I'll leave it for the woman or man who likes to add corrections to library book pages. In pencil. 

Sigh.   Arranged my table top....I have two bills to pay....but not on Saturday.  PBS is being recorded- cooking shows...two favorites are now gone...Lidia must have moved over to Amazon.  Another is one earlier so I have to adjust the TiVo.........Adjust....my word for 2026.  Adjust.

I asked daughter for some eggs and immediately forgot WHY.  Perhaps she will remember...I am almost sure it was for making and baking a pan of cornbread.  With coarse ground corn....in the glass jar on the counter.......so many "clues"....  But not today..... Grilled cheese and pickles today and pizza tomorrow.

What are you having or making????

Daily Notes as the Boiler Rumbles Louder than Usual......Friday, February 20th.

 Begonia.   The Shopping Channel had Hydrangea and French Blue something or other herb....for sale.. I am never actually tempted...but the blue herb would have looked amazing out front in the bed along the porch.  The Septic Tank people also deliver and sell brown mulch....and the beds need mulch to stop the weeds from taking over 100%.  Once the snow melts I can start calling people.

Today is Grocery Shopping Day...(no Library)...and I have plans for a Soup this week.  The last soup sat around too long and the final bowl had to be composted.....well, it would have been if I had my compost bucket read to go....it's a large blue soup pot.... and I layer food scraps with shredded newspaper (and I have lots of paper to shred).  Then toss it all in the bins out back..... Which are FULL of the nicest compost....soft and brown and hopefully none of the big fat worms... Not a fan of big fat worms. I know their poop is a great addition to compost. But I'm okay without them.......

I'm tired....don't know why...it's not like I did any heavy lifting ....or dragged the central vac hose around. The grocery sometimes has books in the magazine area....none today...but I have enough books here....to read ...and because I stop often to do other things...the reading takes much longer these days. And the entire Louise Penny Collection is waiting for me to read them again....in order.  (in the book case)..I haven't because they make me cry.....because I don't have a group to visit with in a cafe.

Fast Women is going slowly...they just discovered why the couch is so uncomfortable to sit on. I'm thinking I will read the book about the Music Teacher and the Rock Star next....after Olympic Curling has finished up.  Unless something exciting happens on the news....

It feels like I said ALL of this yesterday and possibly the day before, also.... Nothing much happens here.

Same day everyday.

Daily Notes for Thursday, February 19th...Sunshine here, 35 degrees.

 Angelique Tulip.   I have not had much luck with tulips bulbs....but I like the flower itself up on top of a sturdy stem.  The flowers last quite a while with just an inch or two of water in the vase...

I'm tired.....I'm old.......I'm more often than not bored..(and very crabby)....I talk to myself as I am more often than not alone with my thoughts and would enjoy company...even if it's my own voice.  All this is very very sad.  And I haven't "enjoyed" Assisted Living as yet- which I hear is terribly boring. And sad. 

I really don't want to go there.. alone at home seems so much nicer.  And home lunches are much better also.  I only wish my home lunches came with a side of chips or French Fries.. I always made sure my husband had a small pile of chips with his lunch....be nice if someone made sure I also had chips. (very very crabby today)

I have a good well read (often) book here to finish...then I need to select something new. There isn't much on the Library Book Shelf here right now....things are getting "slim to none" at the Actual Library....the Present Director is leaving in October and I think her intention is to leave the library Bare and Vacant. I might need to encourage daughter to forge an even better friendship with the Used Library Bookshop.  Twice Told Tales.......and the back room.   Or I need to start with A and work my way thru my own bookcase.....or go online and order books....Amazon has so many. I hate using a credit card on the internet. It doesn't seem safe.

I am ordering books today from my Library and will be redirected to other Libraries to find a copy of each book......it's how things are rolling....I do have an entire collection of Louise Penny mysteries. in the cupboard--..hoarding them for emergency reading.....once Olympic Curling is over- soon...very very soon.....

So that's how sad and disturbing my day is so far.....there might be something interesting going on with the Olympics.....and of course Law and Order reruns as a major fall back position.  A nap would be a delightful experience if I actually EVER had a nap...not a good napper...never was...never will be.

I'll look at the rose up top for awhile before hitting publish...it really is quite lovely.  I might buy some flowers tomorrow at the grocery store....something alive that smells nice.  And some ice cream.

Daily Notes- Wednesday, February 18th. Bright Sun reflecting off the SNOW. 40 degrees

Tulips....and I like the shed in the background also.  Strong reminder of my Grandmother's backyard.  Just realized that as I looked at the image.  She had long beds of flowers in her backyard...grape vines to the left along the driveway.  Peach and Plum trees. Red Current bushes along the back of the property. A vegetable garden over to the right...

I loved that house, that yard, that neighborhood. I was happiest there. And then never again after we moved.

I was more my Grandmother's Child than my parents.  Until my ninth birthday. We moved and I hardly saw much of her until my college years....when she and my grandfather moved closer to our neighborhood. And then I was married and living far far away.......always.  Every time we moved we moved farther away...then across an ocean......

So...on that less than happy note.......still reading Fast Women.... Lunch will be a Grilled Cheese with Pickles or a bowl of grocery store soup.....I'm thinking the Grilled Cheese will be the winner.

Not much else going on- some Curling later this afternoon...an orange for snack.....daughter took a large bag of Kitchen Things  (still in boxes) to Goodwill.  She'll check out the used book area.... I am still reading Fast Women........we checked with each other and neither of us was ever going to use any of the Kitchen. Things.....some because they had very sharp blades in them....

Daily Notes- Tuesday February 17th. Cloudy, 34 degrees

 Once upon a time...  I taught this class.  I loved making Bonsai.......

Anyway, that's in the Way Back Past......Time Moves Forward.... dragging us along with it.

Sigh...I am hoping for a recorded Curling Match today...don't care what country is playing. I have a book- Fast Women by Crusie to read....the main character is about to have her dull red hair made very bright red. And she is moving into a new place....after being kicked to the curb by a cheating husband... I need my own copy of Fat Women.  No--FAST Women. Made myself laugh.

I also collected and had ready....the Garbage and Recycling for today's morning collection by the Town.  Did not need a reminder.  Extra Points for that.   Minus Points for eating all the Coconut Cookies.  It was that kind of day and cookies were necessary.  

The questions I had about the Guthrie kidnapping were answered by three cable tv stations and the morning paper yesterday....nothing in the morning paper. Today. All the family members cleared of "wrong doing".........a statement many of us were puzzled by.  ALL. Is the word that puzzled me.

Watched it SNOW in California and watched people driving in SNOW in California.... for about 5 minutes.  that's all I could stand.

I drove cars in SNOW in Chicago & Germany......both really scary places to drive in bad weather. But Maine.....might be the worst.  Snow covered ice....wow. Slip and Slide. But Chicago - I am reminded of some EPIC terrible winters.......both times we lived there. And I had to get to work.......somehow. Kids were in college and husband was in Europe....who would have gone looking for me??????? When?

Well, I'm here typing so it was all okay.....ish.

Daily Notes- Monday February 16th....Sunshine....33 degrees and a nice hot shower.

 Image of my all time favorite food...pot stickers....I made homemade ones for quite a few years. They were outstandingly good.......my son made them with me on one of his infrequent visits from his home in California.  I have some store bought ones in the freezer- I just got up to check on them- see if I recalled correctly.

I have a bag of mixed vegetables in the freezer- I COULD pick out green beans and have something very much like this photo. Later today.....I just had a bowl of oatmeal so not ready to eat anything...else.

The Curling.....well, nerves are on edge with fatigue.  Not as many smiles anymore.  More mistakes with the stones.... getting them in optimum spaces.

Turbo Tax is making me an Exclusive Offer (email)  Can I just express my deep dislike for TAXES???? Daughter has STILL NOT gotten last year's refund. Trump fired many of the Tax Workers..  I never get a refund.

Second amaryllis bulb has sent up a tiny leaf tip.....giving it the old Team Spirit Award.  The first Amaryllis has four leaves now and a potential flower.  Even when they arrived as a gift- One was slow and one was quick. Taking after son and I from the beginning. I'm the Late Bloomer.

That's it.....I showered this morning and the shower head leak is in a different spot. And Less of a leak. But I am not counting my chickens as yet.   My hair feels all silky and smooth....well as much of that as it can do........I still think the razor cutting pulled out a lot of hair- roots and all.  Seems thin. But could be OLD AGE.....sigh.   Well, I need some time on the couch- all this stuff I did- I'm exhausted...

Daily Notes for Sunday February 15th.....Sunshine in Maine... twenty four degrees.

I did not get flowers.

But this bouquet looks quite lovely.  Minus the big white goofy ones.

Curling was less than spectacular- I am missing British Soccer.   Movies on cable are dismal.  Everything outside is BLINDINGLY WHITE.  And VERY COLD.

Son stopped by the Library after his lunch and brought me a few more library reserve books....I chose one for yesterday but ended up doing "many more things" that did not involve reading....nothing productive. I did watch a cable "news" show that involved using the F word in every sentence sometimes-often- more than once. I was surprised...thought that word was "off limits" for tv....and the more often you use it the less effective it is.

I have a recipe here for a Vegetarian Tamale Pie...vegetables, beans and green chilies  broiled until charred..  pureed tomatoes.  Topped with cornbread. We have no green chilies.  Today is  Pizza......because it's Sunday.

Saturday used to be Chicken Soup.......for husband....I would simmer chicken, carrots, celery and onion in a stock pot and then he would pick the chicken off the bones and pile noodles in a bowl etc. and add the simmering strained broth.....carrots and chicken.  Made four quarts....four days of soup. Kept him hydrated and he had "vegetables".  Well, a carrot.

I made tomato soup for myself....not the Campbells variety...dark rich tomato in the Vitamix...but when I started having acid reflux with EVERYTHING I ATE- my diet got down to RICE and more RICE and we tried bananas but only every two days.  Lots of steroids.   Was NOT GOOD. Once a week at the doctor's office...blood work.....etc.  It took MONTHS but finally went away.  Never really knew why....

 

Happy Valentine's Day.....We have Holiday SNOW here in Maine and temps in the low 30's

Consider this my Valentine to each of you!!!!!   And yes, often my hair looks like this.  Couch Hair.

Curling and then the Arizona Kidnapping.......we are still calling it that....hopefully.  That's how I spend my days.....I STOP and turn off the TV and read an entire book as well....so I am not...as my Son says "rotting my mind out" watching crap 24/7.  What I am doing is waiting for the other "shoe" to drop in the case. It's coming.....

Curling was okay- not the best...the American Women lost.  Today I'll watch the American Men. I REALLY miss the grumpy guys that were the Men's Team forever........these new guys....not sure I will .like them...but giving them a chance...

Read in the Sports section that the new AI robotic cameras are giving people watching on tv the "heaves" as they go down hill and around with the guys on skis.    I can imagine the "ride" in those 4 men sleds going around sideways etc.....do not plan to see if it's that nauseating.......Well, that's it

I didn't even try the Suduko so I should go back and if it a chance... have a great day....eat candy.

 

Daily Notes for Friday, February 13th. I'm up early- well earlier than usual. Today is Library Grocery Day.

I have a couple Valentine images so decided to use one for each day this weekend.  I wish I had a good branch like this in my front yard where I could dangle homemade hearts.....BUT we all know I live on a dead end street and no one drives to the end where I am. So, other than the mail or garbage persons....it's just me seeing anything. And I  NO longer walk down to the mailbox.....in winter..remember I fell down that first winter after my husband died..slipped on ice......bloodied my head and broke my glasses.  No need to repeat that. Son was really upset.

Today is Friday- and Library...but sidewalks are still covered in ice (they were never shoveled)...so....Son will go pick up the requested books and walk there in the street.   I will wait inside the grocery store and then we will shop. The area where I wait has a bench but usually it is occupied.  

The Baked Potato Soup was pretty good....but I don't think I will get another carton of it- I will choose one of the others.  I added cheese to the soup.  Adding something crunchy or crisp would have been good also.  I didn't have those items.

Last week I asked about jelly donuts at the "in store bakery"... the ones they had were heavily coated in powdered sugar....this time, if they have them- I'll ask if they have one or two in the back minus powdered sugar.  I doubt they will....but I can aways ask.  Or scrape the sugar off the ones I buy????  no.

Daughter and I sifted thru another Attic Box.  Mostly McDonald's stuff... a few things might be reusable but perhaps too much trouble finding them new corporate homes.  Everything has logos. She is wanting to empty the Attic of things we (her dad and I) moved from house to house for 50 years. Never really "unpacking" because we would be moving again and again and again.....

Well,  not much else to share with you...I did not send Valentine's this year....my "internal" calendar is off and I missed the postal deadline.  I do have Easter cards so will try and be more "on time" with them. Possibly start sooner.........so MUCH sooner.
 

Daily Notes for Thursday, February 12th. Sunshine here in Maine and 30 degrees???? 33 degrees

 Preparing for Valentine's Day... Everything PINK.  I prefer RED.

So, yesterday I got books but not the advertised sale prices....but I have new books. And I had Crab Rangoon and Tiramisu.   Both favorites of mine...from Market Basket where I only go with daughter.

I had a whole Political Rant prepared before getting out of bed this morning......because of something I saw on MSNBC (not by choice)......something that suggested to me that one of the cabinet members might need a serious mental health time out.  And a De-ICE-ing.  If that's a good hint?????  There was screaming. The CRAZY kind.

So...no more random TV News watching.  Investigations are going where I thought they should have gone earlier--- on the Missing Mom story.  I'm waiting to find out  "Who Done It".....

The Winter Olympic Curling is done I think- could be wrong...It's about the only event I like watching. There are some "fun" movies available on cable right now- I do enjoy a good Rom-Com.... sometimes. I have my new to me books to read......and FINALLY The Lost Husband book arrived....I got 47 pages in before I said- time for bed......will get back into reading moments after pressing publish here.

Sunshine here in Maine- addition of about 3 inches more snow...so the piles of snow are getting taller. supposed to warm up today and might hit 40.   Means sidewalks will ice up over night. Fantastic!!!

Wednesday, February 11th....Snow overnight- Son out shoveling.

 No picture today...I did have one but it's not traveling...I guess.  At a lunch meeting...American Women's Club.  Frankfurt Germany.   Now it's here.  I used to look like this...and had no idea ....the passport photo is even more amazing....maybe later.  My hair hasn't changed much- it's now white. But same style.

Yesterday daughter brought another box- from the move from Germany (1980's)--down from the Attic.  Via Chicago.  Lots of old things and an 80's calendar with great art- so I now have a framed image of Vincent Van Gogh's chair.  Right here by my desk- well, soon, but not as yet (we need a hammer and a small nail).  I did also want one of his bedroom-  Because it reminded me of my college dorm room.  Wasn't full page so not great in the frame.

The American twosome didn't get Gold in the Curling Doubles.  They got second place. Silver.

I watched. rather fascinated...the FOX news re: the door camera that the Arizona police ignored for over a week (2 weeks?) and the FBI figured out in less than a day.  FBI are in Arizona?????  And with the camera result via Google....(California contributed).......local police arrested the guy...  Traffic stop as he was heading toward the Mexican border.  Question now is.....does he know where Nancy is????  Or was he just breaking and entering??????  .......he's now in jail.

I watch for an hour or LESS each afternoon....not so much for info but to see what it's like to be a FOX person......there are MANY references to GOD, BITCOIN and Trump.. (tiny bit of Cash Patel not enough to get Trump upset).. it doesn't take long for me to either turn the tv off or go looking for Olympic things.

Local Book& Music store is have a February Romance Book Sale....daughter is taking me...I have a list. It is rare that I am prepared  for visits to book stores....but I am today. I have a list of what I ALREADY OWN...that is a better list than usual. Daughter also took an iPhone photo of my bookcase....in case I get confused......I WILL get confused.

A man was arrested by ICE here in my Town in Maine... I knew ICE was in the larger cities here in Maine but not the ones as small as my Town.... I was going to type something else.....but I won't...

Daily Notes for Tuesday, February 10th. Sunshine, Snow and 24 degrees

 Well, I sent the image twice and it hasn't arrived so I am giving up on it.  Not much is working here on the desktop this morning...well, closer to noon than morning.   I woke up feeling fine and now I have some muscle aches on the left side of my back...

Image arrived....a Pear I painted years ago and had framed...Two Pears..A Pair.

When a day starts out like this....it's really not going to get any better.

I have Doubles Curling. set to record today... USA might get a Gold Medal.

So...I had some chocolate graham crackers with hot tea yesterday as my Book Reading Refreshments. The book I was reading was NOT the one I wanted to read....and I haven't a clue as to the title of the one I wanted to read.   Guy walks out on girlfriend with a baby....she runs garage sales etc for people to earn a living.  Car explodes at the end.   Is that enough to find the book??????

Got nothing more today....need to find something to occupy my brain..  I read over my book list and the book I did want to read....isn"t in the listing...so I'll check the bookcase.... I do not like it when a book is stuck in my head and any others just "won't do".

Daily Notes- later than usual. Monday, February 9th. BRIGHT sunshine and lots of SNOW

 Turmeric Tea.   I was on some strange diet- can't recall why--- and made lots of things with turmeric .. Very good for one's health.   I might try a cup today.... I also only used rice to make things. It did help. The strange diet did help reset my body and so many things corrected themselves....

Elimination Diet....I had a very very bad skin rash...doctor said he'd given me the strongest meds (steroids) but nothing worked....so the diet....which worked...  I used the Vitamix to grind white rice to make rice flour. And made the most ridiculously tasteless rice muffins (no egg, no dairy).  My cross the street neighbor was into that sort of thing so I made HER a batch....she loved them..... I also blitzed carrots into a "soup" for her.  The Vitamix got the soup really HOT.  It wasn't bad but I did add heavy cream to my bowl....

Son made some fantastic nachos yesterday for halftime of the Super Bowl...  The Patriots have never really done well playing Seattle.  Never.   And yesterday was really ...omg.   I sorted a bag of DebL's beautiful scraps during most of it......I plan on making a small nine patch...today. Curling. Is On.

I had to go back and see if I had already mentioned Turmeric in the last post...I loose track easily.

Nice hot shower this morning....clean hair... quite wild and white...it's at that turning point...not long or heavy enough to be tamed and still short enough to scramble itself.  Swirls....and curls.

My coffee has cooled down too much and it's very bitter... the last of this jar of instant decaf...I have a new one in the cupboard waiting....different brand... possibly better?????  I am going off the trail here and not having daughter buy the Organic Fair Trade one.  Which I am having now...a bit too bitter for me.  I am going to drink the "usual got nothing going for it" instant store brand coffee.  Less bitter. Less everything.

I am enjoying my oranges...they are sweet, juicy and rather perfect.  This week.

I watched  a Julia Roberts movie-- the last 15 minutes of it...."I'm just a guy..standing in front of a girl" etc.   I might watch the whole thing if it's on when Curling is not. Or just record it.. 

Today's book is another Crusie....while I wait for The Lost Husband to be picked up at the Library. The one I have here is about a woman, a baby, and an ex husband and a cop wanting to arrest the husband. It's confusing and really a lot of fun....

Daily Notes- Sunday February 8th. Breakfast was good, Paper was not and New Library System is unusable by ME.

 I have no image for you today....Outside the window I have snow and more snow and very large footprints (holes) in the snow from some animal or person going across the back  "lawn".

I tried to  request a few Evanovich books...but the Library has installed a NEW system that is all pictures... no words.  Pictures of the covers of books....  I tried to look at the catalog where I usually look for things but that's gone or somewhere else.... I gave up. I also tried clicking on a book picture but then it wanted all sorts of information from me.....stuff I was uncomfortable typing into their system.

So...I really gave up.....On them..... on the library.  And you all know how very very much I loved my Library.

Well, I'm going to sit and cry a bit more and tears make it impossible to read or sew.....so until I work thru things I'll just sit and look at the list of books I wanted to order for next week....and realize I won't be ordering them.

I finally realized I could order them from OTHER MAINE LIBRARIES and I DID....they will arrive next week.  It's what I will do from now on......Other MAINE LIBRARIES...  Not mine.

Daily Notes for Cold, Snowy Covered Day in Maine... February 7th. 12:40 is the time stamp.

 Dug an old favorite cup out of the cupboard.  Pansy.   I will try not to drop this one..... Not even 24 hours of use.....as yet.  My grip is not what it used to be and one more cup is in the trash..... I did a few more pages in the shredder but it needs to be emptied into the collection bag for Trash Day.  The shredder part on it is heavy and gets me off balance.  Not something that I should be...off balance....ends in hitting one's head on sharp objects.....I believe that's one of the top causes of death in Old People. Head Injuries.

I worry MORE about that missing woman now that they found her blood on the front steps. Why didn't they find the blood the first day.....that's what I want to know... front steps........

I had to self direct the paragraph I typed regarding what went on yesterday at a certain  House....images etc.... it's his fall back image when feeling "less than"...... I would have played the  Baby Diaper image...with the tag line- "what is that smell???"

I finished Crazy for You and need to choose wisely for today's book...  I'm thinking..... Most Crusie books have a dog, a great looking guy, and some sort of creepy person trying to kill the lead female. I might go to some other author....as a space bar...  what I would really like is a book that makes me laugh out loud...

I'd actually like anything that would make me laugh out loud till I had tears in my eyes.

Daily Notes for Friday, February 6th.....Sunshine, not AS cold. Groceries... No Library.

 Bugs.

Grocery shopping was good- my refill inhaler is generic and looks third world country -ish.  But was $33 instead of ten times that.  The person packing our groceries did a "terrible" job... I got double the number of oranges....the ones at my store are very very good. And Chocolate graham crackers.

They had raspberry filled donuts but had heavily covered them in powdered sugar...I like them naked. I did not buy any,,,,,

I shredded some more paper....but haven't transferred it to the clear plastic Garbage Collection Day Bag as yet. (need three hands)  The little Stationary Area @ the grocery store had just what I wanted... Washable Watercolors in the old school rectangular 8 color set.  With the cheap paint brush....I'll use the nice brushes  I own.  I'm Gonna PAINT.  On index cards.  Not here- if I spill water on the keyboard-- NOT GOOD.

It's too late to send Valentines.....I missed the send date.   But might have a few left over ones to send out to locals.  I like getting holiday cards and assume others do as well...I might be wrong. I AM wrong.

Olympic Curling....I catch a match when I can... when I am not reading.... yesterday (and today's) book is Crazy For You by Jennifer Crusie.   I read it many years ago....this time around I'm older, sadder and not really enjoying the book as much.  I'm identifying with the male characters more than the female.  Feel they are being treated poorly.

My coffee has been reheated too many times- so I will switch over to TEA...with extra sugar or husband's leftover Turbanado Sugar....unless I dumped it??????.  You all have a great day!!!! Don't watch the news.

Another post with no image

It's cold here in the house- I can't image how cold it would be if I went outside.

I am worried about the mother out there wandering in Arizona .......I'm her age but don't have a heart issue or take important meds.....but wandering around, lost in the dark and the cold....I can feel that...I can be afraid of that.......this will not end well.....I HOPE I am wrong.

Another book has gotten itself off the "in transit" list and into the Library.    Waiting for pickup... I shredded more paper....I have a large bag filled with paper that needs to be shredded.....we (daughter) has been emptying drawers and files.  She holds it up and I say yes or no....so I AM helping. She has appointments and will get here when she gets here.....Son has gone out for lunch....while I was having breakfast oatmeal......None of us are on the same schedule.

The shredding reminds me of Lipman's book about Trump in the White House- first time...tearing up every document.  And the staff having to paste them all back together...

Today I am reading Fast Women.   It's like a cross between Perry Mason and Sex in the City. Sort of- I haven't watched much Sex in the City- I just am reminded of the dynamics of it. The clothes, the drinking, and the sex.  Fast Women has that plus a Murder.  Well, more than one. And the guy brings Chinese Food when he visits.....I have been wanting Chinese food since husband died.   Years. Two plus of them.

That's it......I need to check the temp in here...or add more layers.... it's 30 degrees with bright sun outside. Lots of deep snow everywhere.   It was 63 in here- I hadn't turned it up to 66......my fault.  

Daily Notes minus Images. Wednesday, February 4th. Waiting for the Medicare Phone Call. So I can hang up on her.

I can't blame anyone but myself for the lack of an image up top....the iPhone is right here...I could take a picture but..of what?   Snow?  My Socks?  Life here in my house-- very very dull.  My socks are so boring.  I think they are all brown.  I could take a picture of the old phone next to my bed.......

I got out of bed MUCH earlier than usual...way before the morning phone call from Medicare...so I am expecting the phone to ring at any moment now.... Or NOT and that would be a real delight.

I finally remembered to get the temperature  here in the house up to 66 from 60....Bit (ha) chilly in here. When my routine gets just one thing out of order- it's a real free for all.... one book arrived at Library from somewhere else and a few more are in "transit".  I have to let daughter know so she can go pick them up... she is now "in charge of me".  Son has furloughed himself. Sort of a Mom Vacation.

I ate graham crackers while watching Will Smith on Pole to Pole.   It's great that he shows FEAR doing some of that stuff... like swimming under very thick ice. The camera man or woman is in front of him so they are even braver...as those cameras are heavy.  The under water stuff was too scary so I moved on to something less........and it was SO Not the News.

I am going to try and order Lipman's Farce on Trump in the White House.  Remember when I was reading ti and the gal was having to tape all the government papers back together because Trumps tears them all up after finishing reading them?????  Melania ends the book in a huge van holding ALL the White House valuables....heading toward Maine and then Canada and then Greenland?????????

I shoved paper into the shredder....it was therapeutic.  But then I got tired of it...not all that exciting. And read the paper and tried to do the Suduko...Son actually finished the Jumble I gave him...and left it for me to look at.

Finished Bet Me.....I have to choose between Fast Women and Anyone But You for today... Fast Women is very Perry Mason (but with sex and take out food). ..... I've told daughter to buy copies of all the Crusie books for me...even the ONE book I don't like but usually read anyway.

New call: wanting to speak to "the person in charge of the electric bill"l......I said I don't know.......(I pay it but am not in charge of it).  She will call back....later....  I will still be the only person answering the phone.
 

Daily Notes- Tuesday, February third. Sunshine- still lots of snow. 26 degrees

 

Image I added to my wall calendar... This is how it feels after I read the newspaper or watch the news.

1.   I slept well....added water to my bed hair this morning and now it looks curly. white, and okay.

2.  Daughter brought me another pull over zip neck acrylic top....I think it was once mine... and now it's mine again...lighter than the ones I am wearing now....so- more for Spring...when it arrives.

3.  I slept well and my Groundhog Day phone call arrived right on time....I said hello and then hung up. It's a robo call so no one is actually on the phone.   But it's sort of like an extremely annoying alarm clock.

4.  I will be happy when..(they stop calling).I was going to type menopause instead of medicare for the phone call ID...Which is now making me laugh..... Today's book.... I still have 100 pages in Bet Me and then I have to decide on Anyone But You (again) or Fast Women (even more again).  Daughter went to the Library to see what's what.....one additional book did arrived.but after she had left the library.

5.  Daughter and I looked for the silverware....we found other items...a cutting tool to make ribbons of vegetables like sweet potato....and another that did some different cutting...all had Goodwill stickers... this is from the TIME when I wandered around in Goodwill looking for something...anything to buy...I was suffering from Depression......I know that NOW...  The very very lowest of points in my Life...well, other than the months I slept all day, every day....in Germany....before the Women's Club came and hustled me out of the house.  

6. I suffered from Depression almost as soon as our furniture came off the moving van from Chicago. Years of being SO depressed.......I just didn't want to wake up in the morning..... I made it out alive...but I had help- someone came to the house and rang the doorbell until I came to the door....told me to get dressed and we went to lunch.  Saved my Life......No one was coming to save me here in Maine...I had to save myself 30 plus years ago....and will manage to stay afloat now.... because I am refusing to watch the news on tv......makes me cry.

Daily Notes- Monday February 2nd....No clue as to what happened with the Ground Hog.

 No image either....

Daughter is here cleaning out a file cabinet.....moving paper into folders etc.  We plan to look for the missing box of silverware.   Someday. She's in the Attic-- might be today.

I have a growing pile of things to gently place in the shredding machine.  We can recycle shredded material if it's in a clear plastic bag.  I was NOT gentle with my former shredding machine....Not at all. and this one belongs to my daughter..  I think.

Well, I have a book to finish reading....and possibly read the last page and then turn back to the first page if NO Library Books are available.  To pick up.   I could also read the Bodyguard.  Center is the author.

I am warm enough....I have SOUP.  Not watching anything but British Soccer. Politics??....gag me. 

It snowed in Florida...in Georgia....but NOT in Maine...they warned us about Global Warming... I watched that house slip into the water......wow.  I recall cold days while living in South Florida.....Needing a warm coat but not owning one.  Needing the coat inside the HOUSE.

We've got snow piled up higher than I can recall.....3 or 4 feet of it up against the front porch.  Bright Sun not melting anything.

Daily Notes for Sunday February First. Still Cold, Still covered in Snow....

 No image- I don't have anything to share today...

1...Cold here in Maine with Bright Sunshine. 19 degrees.

2...Reading Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie,  I have several other books by this author ordered from other Libraries... They are all listed as "in transit" but that's been a week or more....possibly two weeks...possibly three weeks...perhaps the interlibrary system has collapsed??????   Something has gone wrong ....very very wrong.  This happened once before when a contract with the delivery system couldn't be finalized.   Daughter might be recruited to find and buy them instead.

3.  I had to check last night before I went to bed- to see if I had purchased enough food for the week. I have four and possibly 5 servings of soup...I purchased two, one serving containers of soup...ones I like but not enough to have a whole pot of it waiting to be eaten and I also have ham and cheese fro roll ups..  Today we make PIZZA.  

4.  I didn't buy things to make a salad.  And I am hoping the oatmeal lasts until Friday.  But I do have cream of wheat.  So, I do have breakfast back up.   I worry about breakfast more than any other meal..

5.  I did remember to buy very very beautiful heavy oranges....  four of them... Six days until I can buy more.  I did not buy any bananas...my mistake.

6.  Wrote checks for things.  Everything is so expensive now...Trump really makes a mess of things when he's in office.  He was pretty shady paying his bills when he owned a business.....now he's running OUR business the same way.......  I haven't watched any news shows so I haven't seen him lately- the last time he was reclining on his desk- looked like his back had collapsed on him.   His chin was on the desk top. 

Well, almost. On the desktop.  Son fact checks me.....which is a good thing.... Keeps me on the straight and narrow......I do fabricate.

So that's that......We have more snow on the ground than I have seen in quite a few years- perhaps ten... So the grass under the snow is getting well hydrated...and will perhaps be green??????? this year.  What a THRILL that would be.......Snowdrops have overtaken the top of the tall glass container they are in. Nice and green and sturdy.... one Amaryllis has three leaves now.... a thorny cutting from the woman who was cutting my hair- has roots and several tiny red flowers.  I'm thinking of looking to see if I have sand to mix with potting soil so it can transfer to a clay pot.

Daily Notes for Saturday, January 31st. We have Sunshine here in Maine but 16 degrees..

Got an advertisement in the posts for this sweater.   It looks nice but sort of "too bulky".  And like it would catch on things and the yarn would unravel..... I'm NOT a bulky sweater person...but it did catch my eye. And it is VERY expensive.  Might be cotton- I don't like cotton sweaters. Especially for $400. 

I have one of those choices....Grocery Shopping or Stay at Home.  We are NOT going to the library as there is zero to pick up...my reserves have NOT arrived at the Library even after a week or more...and the sidewalk is often very icy and not shoveled............the Library thing has me worried....seems like things have stopped happening.

I have time to decide.  What will I eat this week??????  I still have leftover soup.  The freezer is empty. Son had hot dogs this week....I was considering them for the coming week......but settled on Grilled Cheese with Sweet Pickles.  I also got Baked Ham and Swiss Cheese--for roll ups.

My Fruit of the Week- Four Gorgeous Navel Oranges.  

Pizza on Sunday......I have one piece left in the fridge- I might be having that after I press print.

"Hell In A Hand Basket" is what is happening.... We need a Hero.....desperately.   And a Hurricane is brewing off the east coast of the US.....like we don't have enough troubles.

 

Daily Notes from a Freezing Cold Maine....The Sunshine has no effect. TEN DEGREES

 

The desk top.   It's REALLY COLD here in Maine this morning... LOTS of Sun and it's only 10 degrees. The furnace is running.....I have it set at 66 degrees.... Son returned my Library books yesterday so he/we didn't have to go out in this cold today.  We have enough food...so grocery shopping was also postponed.  I have LOTS of homemade soup. And a stack of unfinished Suduko Puzzles.

Life as we now know it- really sucks.  Could be worse.....I have to always remind myself- could be worse.

The Snow/Sun Drop bulbs have shot up- the green leaf shoots are up over the rim of the tall glass jar.  The amaryllis has sent up a total of three leaf tips.....the other bulb is doing nothing as yet.....and that might be all it does this year.   If I was grocery shopping today I might have purchased some additional plants for the garden table.   The cactus plant has produced a few pink flowers....

I watched a few Romantic Comedies yesterday....instead of reading..... And I watched The Charge Station shows- CSI-- because they were being shown as full screen.....not the old 70's square version. And eventually I turned that off as well and went over to PBS and watched a documentary about an artist painting portraits of Strong Brave People.......I am hopeful that a book of the portraits and what these brave people achieved is available to purchase at some point in time.  Would be nice to have.. I liked how the artist painted the portrait in one corner or the other and then filled the rest of the canvas with one solid color.  

Well, that's it from here.... I've prepared myself for today's book... Bet Me.  Which always makes me cry. Or I could just read Center's The Bodyguard....which might be the better choice.  I still haven't found a copy of Center's earliest book- The Lost Husband...which would be prefect for today because I have soup..  

I did pass up  A Fall Of Marigolds at Goodwill...an old paperback for one dollar.  What a fool I am some times.....

Daily Notes- Thursday, January 29th. Sunshine and Snow. 16 degrees.

 A neighbor got a new roof on his house yesterday...in the freezing cold temps.  Only he would think that was a great idea. He's needed a new roof for several years now.

I'm getting images of Spring and Summer Flowers in my computer mailbox.Coreopsis. Looks cheerful.

I am showered and dressed in fresh clothing...yesterday's clothes are in the washing machine.  My skin feel dry....House air gets really dry..... now my clothes are in the dryer.

Maine's ICE Guys smashed car windows and dragged a husband and father out of the car and into the armored vehicle and left the mother and 6 day old baby in the smashed car and very cold temps....she didn't know how to drive...... bystanders got her safely home....but she is there alone... 16 degrees and they left her there......left a 6 day old baby to freeze to death. I hope someone does the same to them.

I wondered how I would have managed.....will be thinking about that often today.

I got to a certain spot in yesterday's book....and realized I had read it....well some of it...before.    I won't be finishing it.  I often wonder how books like this one get published.... at some point the Reader just says "I don't care" and stops.  It had great "bones"......needed a MUCH stronger edit.  Lease on Love... Fallon Ballard. Inside cover said it's "cracking... compulsively readable".  It isn't....not at all. 

I have three more books on the Library Shelf....I hesitate to say they will be better.

I have gotten the same Medicare phone call- half dozen times already- I am not addressed by name but told my Medicare Benefits will be "lost" etc.... I hang up.  It's a recorded call- the voice is always the same.. Medicare writes letters..... I know--I have several nice letters...

Daily Notes- Another Day of Retribution.....Steven Miller.....and ICE

 

Todays's newspaper had a small line of type- Steven Miller & ICE.   His Plan. His Idea. And everything falls into place.  Even his OWN bodyguards---lots of them..  The Rat Surfaces.

So, today's morning oatmeal was excellent.... it's cold 19 degrees but we have Sunshine.  

My only real trouble for today......finding something nice to watch on tv.  I was hoping for a movie but might have to SETTLE for Law and Order.  Hallmark had nothing worth watching.  I was hoping for Soccer and there might be one more match recorded.....on the TiVo...if not- then it's the cloth scraps and the old quilt.

I might have to ask son to find me an additional possibility for entertainment..Netflix????  I have a great many Law and Order episodes recorded and can watch them....fast forward thru the dull bits. I do not have many recorded movies....which is a shame.....But what one station takes another gives and right now CHARGE has a few shows I used to watch when the images were full screen...every so often they revert to the small square screen....for months and this time more than year.  It was full screen yesterday. CSI. I watched but....was bored.  What I want today is a good old fashioned MOVIE.

I had the prepared meatloaf dinner yesterday....today I will be having Hot Vegetable Soup. At the table not on the couch.   Largest worry is What Will I Read......I should have asked Son to stop at the Library. He was out the door before the request had formed in my head.

Daily Notes for Tuesday, January 27th. Sunshine and 18 degrees

 I actually colored two index cards.  Getting them to appear here on the screen took much longer than the coloring.

We got more snow overnight... It's Cold and Sunny.....Need sunglasses outside.

Water Main broke yesterday in Town and we had a few hours of wondering- I had a bucket or two of water in case we needed to "flush".   The heating system is "closed" so what ever was inside stayed warm and traveled around the house keeping us warm.

I watched a bit of TV and that wasn't the best use of my time or energy.....or nerves... Antiques Roadshow was okay but I went back to reading......there was a movie I had thought I might watch but realized I just did not have the mental "band width" for it. Either.

What we need in Washington DC is a HERO. Someone Brave and Strong and Intelligent.  I haven't seen anything like that.....the direct opposite?  Yes, Lots of that.   Well, I am going back to the couch. Read, Sew and watch Soccer....  Stay Safe?  I'm asking all of you to do that...or try your best.

Daily Notes on a Complete WHITE Morning in Maine.

 One narrow shoveled path to the front steps.......in case of needing a quick exit.  I can hear the snowblower idling...

I have oatmeal in the microwave and hot water heated for my one a day cup of coffee... I went to sleep last night with the entire state of Maine colored Ice Blue....heavy snow.   It measures well over two feet. But then I'm inside and it's outside.   My oatmeal is beeping.....I'm fine- I am hoping ALL of you are fine as well.

Monday After.......It's Snowblower Snow.....light, dry....lots of it. We can get the car out into the street.

 Overnight we had no idea what was coming into Maine.. The wet heavy ice or the dry stuff.  the weather channel had the weather coming in blue- ice.   I was reluctant to get out of bed.

Now I am working the odds on taking shower - before or after I eat.....blood pressure is tilting low so I think...breakfast first.  I'll be back later- the regular time to have a good chat here on the blog....Joanne.

Daily Notes- Still Sunday....Snow HAS NOT stopped falling but really COLD

 Never lost power- as yet 21:56 --- but the generator would have kicked in.  We made Sunday Pizza and watched the Patriots football game.   Wow.   Started with green grass and ended in a blizzard.

We have about 12 to 18 inches of snow- but the plow has dumped more at the end of the driveway.  Son is not a Happy Camper.  It's not the kind of snow that can be shoveled with 5 inches of ice on top of loose snow if it resembles what Washington DC has.   16 to 18 inches.

Maine is now being visited by all the snow you all in the south east experienced.  Heavy Snow in Boston. Just an hour or two south of me.  Snow is supposed to stop by TOMORROW NIGHT.

My son might be packing his suitcase upstairs?  No he'd never leave his sports car behind. And he certainly couldn't drive it anywhere.

The football was a. SURPRISE... we won.  Toward the end of the 4th we couldn't even see the players. And they started out with green grass.

Almost time for me to think about getting ready for bed...I just had a very nice sweet orange...and now I need some water.  BE safe.  

Daily Notes- Still standing. Sunday January 25th. Seven Degrees.

  Vintage Snow Drops and Vintage Amaryllis.   I can't throw anything away without giving it one more chance to shine.   Even on a very cold dark day here in Maine.  No sunshine here.

  I  watched some soccer yesterday....then gave up on the TV and finished Agnes and the Hitman.  Today, if the football lets me down- I will finish coloring my drawings .......and I will read Anyone But You for a second and perhaps third time.... I adore a great romance.  And today is Football Pizza Day... Gotta love that.

 The shower head in my shower is shooting water out the top....needs a repair...since daughter says she is my assistant- I'm going to see if she steps up and calls in professionals to fix the damned thing... until then- I'll let it spray toward the ceiling when I shower.  Which even I know is a VERY BAD THING.

Pizza Sunday....  

You know what...I am going to just stop typing...I am not in a good headspace this morning....and I am just going to put a stop to this and  Son says it's the internet messing with the left side margin.  Crap.

Daily Notes- Sunshine on a Saturday in January....SEVEN DEGREES with SUNSHINE.

 Maine...

Well, not much to write about- I could add a photo of my four lovely navel ORANGES....fruit of the week.  Sad....When "four oranges" is the most positive thing one can say.

I keep thinking about January 6th...Insurrection...I think it's time for another. With better results.

We have oil....we have sunshine... I have a good book and a soft couch... I spent yesterday and this morning with tears in my eyes.  They carried a less that 2 year old away from his family. Without a blanket to keep him warm.  Where is he now??????? Cold? Hungry? Alive?

I doubt I would have a fighting chance if they came pounding on my door.

Not the America I want. 

Daily Notes for Friday, January 23rd. Sun Still Shining but we are bracing ourselves for WAY below zero.

No images....the iPhone needs a reboot.  Battery was low. iPhone is old...I have asked if I could use my husband's newer iPhone- change over- Son doesn't care for that idea. It's also old. But not AS old.

Way below Zero up here in Maine.   I bought snack-y things... Granola chunks.  Seeds etc. Cold Fried Chicken Chunks.  Pears and Oranges.  I skipped the yogurt as I am not supposed to have it with my kidneys being on the fritz,  I made the soup yesterday...it's not quite right....needs something  but not sure what or if I even have something good to add. I might simmer it with a Parm outside edge. I have one or two in the freezer. Never throw them away.  

I got more ham and cheese slices for roll ups....and there is another toasted cheese with sweet pickles....

I also bought one prepared meatloaf dinner....cause my lunch buddy mentioned meatloaf.  And I am easily led astray.

Sheets for my bed are in the dryer....I spun the mattress so I will be sleeping on new territory tonight.  The old mattress in Son's bedroom could be flipped....that one was a more "brand new " experience when slept on.  And doing that myself was always an adventure- I got slammed by the weight and height  (into the closet doors) at least once every time- usually more.  Way way too old for that now....bones are still sturdy though. Memory not so much. 

My lunch buddy has had to start a new email.....the robots took over the old forever email.

I am looking all over for my R&B- Robbe & Berking Silver- 150g.  Was here for decades but now missing.  I worry that in the change over to adding Son's household goods to the kitchen it got.....misplaced....sent to Goodwill by mistake...... 8 of everything and quite a lot of serving things. I was always "saving it" for special occasions... Don't Ever Do That. I was also doing things mindlessly as a brand new widow.  Make NO changes the first year is also very SOUND ADVICE.

I wear linen clothing I "saved" ---- just for sitting around the house.  Un-ironed.  I have a book to read... we skipped the Library -third week in a row, I think---because the sidewalks were NOT shoveled. Not safe for me to walk on.  And walking in the street is not something anyone should do in the winter- especially in a black coat.  

Daily Notes- took several starts to get here...ICE is here in Maine.. Population---91% white.

 When the Snow Birds return from their Winter in Florida- well, they will be very very brown. So I hope ICE is gone by then????   Or not...at times it's great to visit "the other side of Life" here in Maine.

The 91% white is from the New York Times article....I was surprised  they had the guts to print that.   But then they said the same on several TV news broadcasts....yesterday.  Maine...we are just so very "white".

I never managed to make the Toasted Cheese.....I got involved with rescuing some over wintered bulbs on the Sunporch....  and settled them after cleaning up etc the stones and water in the tall glass container..... they seemed confused at first but this morning...many have straighten up...gotten greener and taller.... Connie knows their name but I can't manage to pull it out of my head- SnowDrops?  SunDrops?

No image today....I was going to color one of the drawings on the index cards...instead I started reading Agnes and the Hitman.... Agnes made three batches of pancakes to feed everyone in her kitchen.... and then she started in on tenderloin lunch prep.   There were sausages also.  

I always have a deep desire to join them all in the kitchen.  The Hitman, The Clean up Guy (bodies), the two police detectives,  Three Wheels, the guy painting the house, Joey who brought a package of ribs........for supper.  And of course Agnes herself...cooking.....minus underwear..... and the characters keep coming in thru the door.....a great big noisy family type thing....

TheSun is very BRIGHT this morning there in Maine.  Hurts one's eyes as it reflects off the SNOW. Lots of Snow on the ground and more coming, I guess?????

I have continued to PROCRASTINATE regarding the SOUP...Still not made.  Everything ready to be peeled, chopped, dumped into the pot.....but haven't done it.

My Lunch Buddy got propane yesterday...told me in detail how handsome the guy was filling the tanks. Climbing over the snow pile the plow left by the side of the garage.  She and I have to enjoy the small pleasures we get.  She was also reheating Bow Street Meatloaf.....I mentioned taking me with her next time she drove to that store.  I like the meatloaf but like the big expensive sugar cookies so much MORE....

Daily Notes from a Snow Covered Maine....But we have Sunshine. Wednesday Jan 21st.

Good morning.  Time it took getting these index card line drawings here- I could have taken the College Prep Exams.  Getting the left side alignment...wow. Enlarge, print and color them yourself????  Please do- 

And I can see I actually didn't get it where it was supposed to be on the far left.....time out while I bang my head on the desk.   I enjoyed making these drawing yesterday while watching antiques roadshow.  The alternative was British Soccer and I had already watched one match....and wanted to save the second recorded match for today.  I DID enjoy looking at the Very Handsome Soccer Coach- he was grinding his teeth. I know he wasn't happy.

Today is going to be a repeat of the Most Excellent Toasted Cheese Sandwich with Sweet Pickle Slices. Using up the last two slices of Toasting Bread.  I will be making soup...eventually. Eventually is still quite a distance away.

I am also tempted to sharpen the colored pencils and work on the line drawings....

I read Cruise's Anyone But You yesterday and today Crusie's Agnes and the Hitman.. (unless I read Anyone But You again today....it was very good.  I did want Oreos...  I seem to have purchased my very own copy of Agnes... and it's still in brand new condition.  I need a copy of Anyone But You also.  But it may only be in hardback.  Bet Me is also in brand new condition on the bookshelf (soft cover)....and I really love that book.  Really....Truly...Deeply......

I am stockpiling for my Eventual Time in Assisted Living... Index cards.  Black ink pens.  Books. Tub of cloth scraps and thread, needles and scissors.   And a yearly brand new desk calendar and a glue stick. 

I am a simple woman with simple wants...... Toasted Cheese with Sweet Pickles...Dark Chocolate..... Wool Socks....Down Comforter and Down Pillows on my bed..  white linen sheets.....Index Cards (large size), Glue Stick and Pilot G-2 black ink pens....a whole box of them.   Romance Books......only the really really good ones.  Like ALL of Agnes and the Hitman.  

 

Daily Notes for Tuesday January 20th. Fresh Eyes.

Something bright and yellow- cheerfulness on a very very Snowy Maine Morning.  21 degrees and Sun. The white snow is blindingly bright.  

Starting to worry about Arctic Snowmelt raising ocean water levels....in Maine.  We sit close to sea level. And my house sits close to the coast line. And when we moved here  (decades ago) my backyard was a LAKE every Spring.  I had DUCKS swimming in the low, deep, spots and Eagles feeding on the ducks. Carrying the poor ducks away while they screamed.....it wasn't nice.  Then Maine dried up.

Son would say- "why worry about stuff you can't control?"   Virgos need to WORRY. It's in the DNA.

Plan for the day is dragging the central vac hose out and around...floor is pretty disgusting.  The sunshine is making it all very visible.  I have been reluctant to drag out the central vac as it is really a "workout" hauling the hose and getting it bent and stuck etc etc etc.   One can do the entire first floor with only two outlet changes....the hose is that long.  And I am no longer a Spring Chicken.  I need significant rest periods.  To catch my breath.  Could take all day....if I get started.  I didn't start yesterday. 

Yesterday's Happiness was a grilled cheese sandwich with sweet pickle slices....yummmy.  Also the remainder of the Christmas Shortbread Cookies with Hot Sweet Tea.   I still have leftover Pizza slices...for today's lunch.  I haven't made the Vegetable Bean Soup.....yet.  There might be...yes there are.... Brussels Sprouts to add some bitter notes to the vegetable soup... excellent.  Whenever it gets made. I'm in no hurry.

I also have a great book to read and English Soccer to watch....  better get started.....

Daily Notes for Monday, January 19th. Snow overnight. Again.

Homemade biscuits.   I made something like this (often) back when we lived outside of Atlanta.   What I could label- the "Good Years".... great neighbors, lovely big townhouse..  Kids all over for mine to play with. Best friend one Townhouse row over.  Until it wasn't.  Never baked biscuits again. Never really baked anything. Again... the new house in Florida didn't have central air but did have snakes..   The next house in Chicago had friendly  neighbors and the Fire Chief across the street.....to fix things for me.  His daughter was my babysitter.  I found a job......worked.  Was really happy...we moved again. and again. I know you all know all this already...Sorry for the repeating....blame it on the biscuits.

Football yesterday...and the day before.  Sunday Pizza was exceptionally good...crust had a nice "crunch". I also watched PBS after two  football games.....the Nazi's and the wayward British King and Queen.

Started the day with a great hot shower and clean hair.   My chest wound is getting better and less red,...still needs a bandage.... still a bit of uncomfortable if I move or stretch too much. A burning pain- but just a shiver of it.,, these days.

Maine's Senator..Angus King.....is going to meet with Danish Officials re: President's threats.  Our Maine newspaper mentioned ICE agents--locally......here in Maine. A hotbed of immigrants (laughing). People with a tan are suspect here. Why the natives stay in Florida till early summer. Perhaps longer this year????

Today's book- accidentally chosen at Library-- is actually a GREAT FAVORITE..... Jennifer Cruise's Anyone But You.   Need to buy my own copy. Unhappily married middle aged woman moves out  of husband's deluxe  townhouse and into a walk up tiny apartment...also buys a stinky old hound dog set for the "big sleep" at the local pound. She feels she escaped her own "big sleep" with husband.   Meets the  young ER doctor one floor down.  They watch old movies together- all three of them. Man, woman and dog.  Popcorn.  

Daughter called to make sure her land line actually worked......it went out the other day. She is still SICK with the Flu.  Must be a very strong variety this time around.  Daughter said they got the strain wrong for the shot.  

I wish I had bought more cold day old chicken nuggets at the grocery store...that first container of them was very very tasty.  I like them better old and cold than fresh and hot.  I know...Son also thinks I'm really weird.   But it's ME.